I am an academic researching this topic from the point of view of patients asked to take medication which may have religiously forbidden ingredients e.g. Gelatine or stearic acid. Would like to know that in the context of vegetarianism being accepted practice in many Buddhist traditions, is there any dietary law that prohibits any specific animals or use of animal products in medication?Would appreciate comments, suggestions for further reading or expert opinions.

waqqaskhokhar wrote:I am an academic researching this topic from the point of view of patients asked to take medication which may have religiously forbidden ingredients e.g. Gelatine or stearic acid. Would like to know that in the context of vegetarianism being accepted practice in many Buddhist traditions, is there any dietary law that prohibits any specific animals or use of animal products in medication?Would appreciate comments, suggestions for further reading or expert opinions.

Hopefully Namdrol will respond as he is a Tibetan Doctor

How foolish you are, grasping the letter of the text and ignoring its intention! - Vasubandhu

waqqaskhokhar wrote:I am an academic researching this topic from the point of view of patients asked to take medication which may have religiously forbidden ingredients e.g. Gelatine or stearic acid. Would like to know that in the context of vegetarianism being accepted practice in many Buddhist traditions, is there any dietary law that prohibits any specific animals or use of animal products in medication?Would appreciate comments, suggestions for further reading or expert opinions.

As far as I know, any medication is fine. Some Buddhists who are vegetarians avoid medications with animal products but that's because they're vegetarian, not because they're Buddhist.

Equanimity is the ground. Love is the moisture. Compassion is the seed. Bodhicitta is the result.

"All memories and thoughts are the union of emptiness and knowing, the Mind.Without attachment, self-liberating, like a snake in a knot.Through the qualities of meditating in that way,Mental obscurations are purified and the dharmakaya is attained."

waqqaskhokhar wrote:I am an academic researching this topic from the point of view of patients asked to take medication which may have religiously forbidden ingredients e.g. Gelatine or stearic acid. Would like to know that in the context of vegetarianism being accepted practice in many Buddhist traditions, is there any dietary law that prohibits any specific animals or use of animal products in medication?Would appreciate comments, suggestions for further reading or expert opinions.

Nope, the traditional Buddhist medicine is Ayurveda and there are kinds of meat, as well as urines, feces, etc., recommended as remedies for diseases in Ayurvedic texts as well as texts on Tibetan Medicine.

I am trained in western medicine, the short answer is no. However some Buddhists might be put off taking things with animal products but it is a personal choice not a Buddhist one. where you might find a more unified opinion is of that of abortion and euthanasia but even then it wouldn't affect my treatment of people who wanted those things.

“Trump’s grand and vulgar self-absorption is inviting all of us to examine our own selfishness. His ignorance calls us to attend to our own blind spots. The fears that he stokes and the isolation he promotes goad us to be braver, more generous.” - James S. Gordon.